Cannabis plant named &#39;vb252x&#39;

ABSTRACT

The unique annual herbaceous Cannabis plant variety ‘VB252X’ is provided. The variety can be distinguished by its outstanding features of increased vigor and large size.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Application for Patent claims priority to ProvisionalApplication No. 63/172,432 entitled “CANNABIS PLANT NAMED ‘VB252’” filedApr. 8, 2021, and Provisional Application No. 63/174,870 entitled“CANNABIS PLANT NAMED ‘VB252X252’” filed Apr. 22, 2021, which are herebyexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

Latin name of the genus and species: Genus—Cannabis. Species—sativa.

Variety denomination: The new Cannabis plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘VB252X’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinct annual variety of C.sativa, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘VB252X’.‘VB252X’ is intended for use in the production of products created fromthe leaf, stem or flowers of the plant including products created fromextracting the oil from the plant. The oil products can include, but arenot limited to, production of cannabinoid oil formulations to be used inconsumer product goods, medicinal formulation to be sold indispensaries, pharmaceutical oil formulations, nutraceutical formulationand other consumer product

Background Of The Related Art

The genus Cannabis has been in use by humans for millennia, due to themultiplicity of its benefits to humans, including the considerable valueand utility of its fiber, the nutritional value of its seeds, and themedicinal value of its floral parts and products made from them.Currently the genus is under intense legal commercialization in theUnited States as industrial hemp for a variety of purposes includingbiodegradable plastics and building materials, clothing, paper, food,fuel, and medicines.

Cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from Cannabis is widely used inover-the-counter medicines and topical treatments and is also the activeingredient in the FDA-approved drug Epidiolex®. CBD is just one of atleast dozens—perhaps hundreds—of cannabinoids endogenous to Cannabis,tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the other cannabinoid that is mostwell-known. The cannabinoids as a group interact with the humanendocannabinoid receptors, which are distributed in the brain andthroughout the body. The study of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) inhumans and other mammals is an area of increasing interest and holdstremendous promise for the future of medicine. See, e.g., Russo (2019).Cannabis and Pain, Pain Medicine, 20(10): 1093/pm/pnz227; and Russo(2016). Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Reconsidered: CurrentResearch Supports the Theory in Migraine, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel,and Other Treatment-Resistant Syndromes, Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 1(1):154-165, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

Non-hemp forms of Cannabis, frequently referred to as marijuana, havebeen legalized for medicinal use in many states and also for adult usein a growing number of states. It is expected that the wave oflegalization will continue to the point of some form of federallegalization or decriminalization.

Typically, marijuana products are available to users for purchase inspecialized “dispensaries” that offer dried flower, edibles, tinctures,extracts, and the like. In some cases, a unique or unusual chemicalprofile, or chemotype, is attractive not only for flower sales but alsofor use in the preparation of extracts and/or isolates and for themanufacture of a variety of products that possess characteristics of thechemotype.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct annual variety of C.sativa, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘VB252X’.‘VB252X’ is intended for use in the production of products created fromthe leaf, stem, or flowers of the plant, including products created fromextracting the oil from the plant. These oil products can include, butare not limited to, production of cannabinoid oil formulations to beused in consumer product goods, medicinal formulation to be sold indispensaries, pharmaceutical oil formulations, nutraceuticalformulation, and other consumer products.

The new C. sativa variety is a selection resulting from a sexual crossof C. sativa plants at Seattle, Wash., involving a seed parent known as‘VB81’ (not patented) and a pollen parent known as ‘VB214’ (notpatented).

Selection was based upon agronomic characteristics, general phenotypicappearance, and oil production attributes. Analysis for traits was doneusing HPLC and TLC for compound analysis. Growth performance wasevaluated in growth pods, greenhouse, and outdoor growing conditions.

‘VB252X’ was created from multiple generations of inbreeding. An initialF1 cross was completed on seeds with complementary traits. Two siblingsfrom the F1 cross were selected due to agronomical traits and crossed(F2, S1). From the F2 cross, a single plant was selected for itsagronomical traits and was backcrossed to the original F1 pollen donor(BC1, F3). Single plant selection was completed, and the top femaleplant was carried forward and backcrossed once again to the originalpollen donor (BC2, F4). A single plant selection was completed for theF4 cross, and the top female plant was carried forward and back-crossedonce again to the original pollen donor (BC3, F5). VB252X was selectedfrom that last cross. Selection was based upon agronomiccharacteristics, general phenotypic appearance, and oil productionattributes. VB252X was selected from that last cross.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for 3 years at Seattle, Wash.and the Yakima Valley, Wash.

The following characteristics of the new variety have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘VB252X’ as a new and distinctvariety of C. sativa plant:

-   -   1. Phenotypically, ‘VB252X’ have physical characteristics of a        Cannabis hybrid, i.e., plants have physical characteristics of        both C. sativa and C. indica.    -   2. It is a photoperiod-sensitive variety with a later flowering        time. Harvest is approximately 7 weeks after induction.    -   3. Leaves are medium green and, phenotypically, would be        characterized as C. indica (i.e., broad large leaf structures).    -   4. It has short internode spacing with full branching.    -   5. Branches contain multiple nodes per branch.    -   6. It is a larger than most C. sativa plants (favoring a C.        indica phenotype) having a propensity to grow over 6 feet tall        within a standard 3-4-month outdoor grow season.    -   7. ‘VB252X’ is a robust growing plant.

Plants of the new variety differ from plants of the seed parent ‘VB81’primarily in growth and phytochemical content. ‘VB252X’ is a more robustplant than ‘VB81’. ‘VB252X’ has increased vigor and thrives in multiplegrowing conditions in contrast to ‘VB81’, which only thrives in indoorgrowing pods. ‘VB81’ is spindly and is highly susceptible to pathogens.‘VB252X’ is less susceptible to pathogen. ‘VB252X’ grows larger withbroader leaves than ‘VB81’. Phytochemically, both ‘VB81’ and ‘VB252X’produce high levels of CBD and contain similar phytochemical profiles.‘VB252X’ produces larger flowers and increased production over ‘VB81’.

Plants of the new variety differ from plants of the pollen parent‘VB214’ primarily in growth and phytochemical content. ‘VB214’ is maleplant and does not produce flowers. The limited trichomes on the leavesproduce predominantly CBD, but due to low chemical production in males,it is difficult to do an exact comparison of cannabinoid predispositionbetween the two plants. ‘VB214’ is a robust growing plant (attributes to‘VB252X’ plant vigor). It is robust and resistant to many pathogenscommon in Cannabis including many forms of powdery mildew and somecommon pest infestation (e.g., mites). Like many male pollen plants,‘VB214’ has less branching than ‘VB252X’ (longer spacing), is taller,and contains fewer leaves.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

The accompanying photographic illustrations show the typical appearanceof the new variety ‘VB252X’. The colors are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describes the colors ofthe new plant.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the whole plant of the new variety ‘VB252X’.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the inflorescence of new variety ‘VB252X’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the invention relate to a seed from a Cannabis plantdesignated ‘VB252X’ wherein a representative sample of seed of saidplant has been deposited under ______.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to a Cannabis plant, or plantpart, tissue, or cell thereof produced by growing the seed of ‘VB252X’,or a descendant thereof. Plant parts can include the embryo, shoot,root, stem, seed, stipule, leaf, petal, flower bud, flower, ovule,bract, trichome, branch, petiole, internode, bark, pubescence, tiller,rhizome, frond, blade, ovule, pollen, stamen, and the like.

The plants, or plant parts, of the invention can display a cannabinoidprofile within the ranges set forth in Table 1 herein. The productivityof any given cannabinoid and/or the amounts or ratios of cannabinoids,terpenes, and other plant products can be, by nature, quite variable.The variability can be contributed to by weather, latitude, soil andfeeding conditions, pathogens, and numerous other agronomic,horticultural, and biological factors.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to methods of using the plantin a breeding program to produce Cannabis progeny including acannabinoid profile generally within the ranges as set forth in Table 1herein. Details of existing Cannabis plant varieties and breeding aredescribed in Potter et al. (2011, World Wide Weed: Global Trends inCannabis Cultivation and Its Control); Holland (2010, The Pot Book: AComplete Guide to Cannabis, Inner Traditions/Bear & Co, ISBN1594778981,9781594 778988); Green I (2009, The Cannabis Grow Bible: The DefinitiveGuide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medical Use, Green CandyPress, 2009, ISBN 1931160589, 9781931160582); Green II (2005, TheCannabis Breeder's Bible: The Definitive Guide to Marijuana Genetics,Cannabis Botany and Creating Strains for the Seed Market, Green CandyPress, 1931160279, 9781931160278); Starks (1990, Marijuana ChemistryGenetics, Processing & Potency, ISBN 0914171399, 9780914171393); Clarke(1981, Marijuana Botany, an Advanced Study: The Propagation and Breedingof Distinctive Cannabis, Ronin Publishing, ISBN 091417178X,9780914171782); Short (2004, Cultivating Exceptional Cannabis: An ExpertBreeder Shares His Secrets, ISBN 1936807122, 9781936807123); Cervantes(2004, Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower'sBible, Van Patten Publishing, ISBN 187882323X, 9781878823236); Franck etal. (1990, Marijuana Grower's Guide, Red Eye Press, ISBN 0929349016,9780929349015); Grotenhermen and Russo (2002, Cannabis and Cannabinoids:Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Potential, Psychology Press,ISBN 0789015080, 9780789015082); Rosenthal (2007, The Big Book of Buds:More Marijuana Varieties from the World's Great Seed Breeders, ISBN1936807068, 9781936807062); Clarke, R C (Cannabis: Evolution andEthnobotany 2013); King, J (Cannabible Vols 1-3, 2001-2006); and fourvolumes of Rosenthal's Big Book of Buds series (2001, 2004, 2007, and2011), each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

The present invention also relates to variants, mutants and minormodifications of the seeds, plant parts and/or whole plants of theCannabis plants of the present invention. Variants, mutants and minormodifications of the seeds, plants, plant parts, plant cells of thepresent invention can be generated by methods well known and availableto one skilled in the art, including but not limited to, mutagenesis(e.g., chemical mutagenesis, radiation mutagenesis, transposonmutagenesis, insertional mutagenesis, signature tagged mutagenesis,site-directed mutagenesis, and natural mutagenesis),knock-outs/knock-ins, antisense and RNA interference. For moreinformation of mutagenesis in plants, such as agents, protocols, seeAcquaah et al. (Principles of plant genetics and breeding,Wiley-Blackwell, 2007, ISBN 1405136464, 9781405136464,) which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. Other kinds of modificationspracticed in the Cannabis industry, including but not limited tofeminization of seeds and/or day-length neutrality/autoflowering arealso within the scope of the invention and are within the level of skillin the art to execute.

The present invention also relates to a mutagenized population of theCannabis plants of the present invention, and methods of using suchpopulations. In some embodiments, the mutagenized population can be usedin screening for new Cannabis lines which comprises one or more or allof the morphological, physiological, biological, and/or chemicalcharacteristics of Cannabis plants of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the new Cannabis plants obtained from the screeningprocess comprise one or more or all of the morphological, physiological,biological, and/or chemical characteristics of Cannabis plants of thepresent invention, and one or more additional or different newmorphological, physiological, biological, and/or chemicalcharacteristic.

The present invention also provides any compositions or any productsmade from or isolated from the plants of the present invention. In someembodiments, the compositions/ products comprise an extract of theplants. In some embodiments, the extract can contain a higher percentageof terpenes/terpenoids compared to extract isolated from a controlCannabis plant variety (e.g., an existing variety, such as arecreational Cannabis plant variety). In some embodiments, the inventionrelates to a smokable, topical, or edible product comprising theCannabis plant, or plant part, tissue, cell, extract, or isolate.

The present invention provides methods of using the Cannabis plants orany parts, any compositions, or any chemicals derived from said plantsof the present invention.

In some embodiments, the plants of the present invention can be used toproduce new plant varieties. In some embodiments, the plants are used todevelop new varieties or hybrids with desired phenotypes or genotypes.

In some embodiments, selection methods, e.g., molecular marker assistedselection, can be combined with breeding methods to accelerate theprocess. Additional breeding methods known to those of ordinary skill inthe art include, e.g., methods discussed in Chahal and Gosal (Principlesand procedures of plant breeding: biotechnological and conventionalapproaches, CRC Press, 2002, ISBN 084931321X, 9780849313219); Taji etal. (In vitro plant breeding, Routledge, 2002, ISBN 156022908X,9781560229087); Richards (Plant breeding systems, Taylor & Francis US,1997, ISBN 0412574500, 9780412574504); Hayes (Methods of Plant Breeding,Publisher: READ BOOKS, 2007, ISBN1406737062, 9781406737066); each ofwhich is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The Cannabis genomehas been sequenced (Bakel et al., The draft genome and transcriptome ofCannabis sativa, Genome Biology, 12(10):R102, 2011). Molecular makersfor Cannabis plants are described in Datwyler et al. (Genetic variationin hemp and marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) according to amplifiedfragment length polymorphisms, J Forensic Sci. 2006 March;51(2):371-5.); Pinarkara et al., (RAPD analysis of seized marijuana(Cannabis sativa L.) in Turkey, Electronic Journal of Biotechnology,12(1), 2009), Hakki et al., (Inter simple sequence repeats separateefficiently hemp from marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.), Electronic Journalof Biotechnology, 10(4), 2007); Gilmore et al. (Isolation ofmicrosatellite markers in Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana), MolecularEcology Notes, 3(1): 105-107, March 2003); Pacifico et al., (Geneticsand marker assisted selection of chemotype in Cannabis sativa L.),Molecular Breeding (2006) 17:257-268); and Mendoza et al., (Geneticindividualization of Cannabis sativa by a short tandem repeat multiplexsystem, Anal Bioanal Chem (2009) 393:719-726); each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the Cannabis plant, or plant part, tissue, or cellof ‘VB252X’ comprises a cannabinoid profile as set forth in Table 1. Dueto the natural variability of chemotypic expression that is commonlyobserved in Cannabis plants, arising from numerous causes as discussedabove, the values set forth in Table 1 do not reflect the only possiblerange of outcomes that can be obtained from plants of the new variety.Thus, these values are merely exemplary of observed values (middlecolumn) and predicted normal variations from the observed values.Variations outside these ranges are also within the scope of theinvention.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Profiles of Key Cannabinoids.* Cannabinoid PercentPercent Percent Percent Percent THCa 0 0.015 0.03 0.06 0.075 Delta 9 THC0 0.0525 0.105 0.21 0.2625 THCVa 0 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.025 THCV 0 0.010.02 0.04 0.05 CBDa 3.225 4.3 4.485 4.67 5.8375 CBD 0.15 0.2 1.535 2.873.5875 CBDVa 0.375 0.5 0.585 0.67 0.8375 CBDV 0 0.1075 0.215 0.43 0.5375CBGa 0.075 0.1 0.105 0.11 0.1375 CBG 0 0.02 0.04 0.08 0.1 CBCa 0.15 0.20.265 0.33 0.4125 CBC 0 0.0075 0.015 0.03 0.0375 Total THC** 0 0.0650.13 0.26 0.325 Total CBD*** 3.075 4.1 5.53 6.96 8.7 TotalCannabinoids**** 4.125 5.5 7.51 9.52 11.9 *In some cases, thequantification of a component is reported as “not detected,” or ND,rather titan 0. For purposes of simplicity, ND is replaced with 0.**Total THC = Δ9THC + (THCa * 0.877) ***Total CBD = CBD + (CBDa * 0.877)****Total Cannabinoids = Total THC + Total CBD + Total CBG + TotalTHCV + Total CBC + Total CBDV + Δ8THC + CBL + CBN

In some embodiments, the invention relates to a Cannabis cloneregenerated from the Cannabis plant of descended from the plant, orplant part, tissue, cell, or seed of ‘VB252X’ wherein the plant is aclonal descendent.

In some embodiments, the invention relates to a method of producing anF1 Cannabis seed, wherein the method includes crossing the plant with adifferent Cannabis plant and harvesting the resultant F1 Cannabis seed.In some embodiments, the invention relates to the F1 hybrid Cannabisseed produced by this method. In some embodiments, the invention relatesto a F1 hybrid Cannabis plant produced by growing the F1 hybrid Cannabisseed. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a Cannabis cloneregenerated from the F1 hybrid Cannabis plant. In some embodiments, theinvention relates to a smokable or edible product comprising Cannabistissue from the F1 hybrid Cannabis plant.

In some embodiments the invention relates to seed line from a clonallypropagated plant of the new variety. In some embodiments, the seed lineis that of the deposited seed recited herein. In other embodiments, theseed line is one that is separately established through interbreedingand selection of plants of the new variety, using pollen from reversedfemales of the new variety and/or from relatives/ancestors of the newvariety. In these embodiments, crosses and selections are conductedthrough successive generations to obtain a line of seed that stablyproduces progeny having physical and chemical properties within theranges recited herein for the new variety. In some embodiments, thisseed line is feminized seed, having been feminized using techniquesknown to those of skill in the art.

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘VB252X’. Applicant is prepared to make a deposit ofseeds or plant tissue.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘VB252X’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible.

The plant history was taken on plants approximately <1 years of age, andthe descriptions relate to plants grown in a greenhouse.

-   Type: Herbaceous tap-rooted annual.    -   -   Classification.—a. Family— Cannabaceae. b.            Genus—Cannabis. c. Species—sativa. d. Common name—Hemp.-   Plant:    -   -   General.—a. Origin— Seattle, Wash. b. Parentage: i. Male            parent— ‘VB214’. ii. Female parent— ‘VB81’. c. Average            height— Outdoor 6 feet/Indoor dependent on photoperiod            length. d. Average spread— Outdoor 3 feet/Indoor dependent            on photoperiod length. e. Productivity— Average outdoor 2            lbs. dried biomass. f. Proportion of hermaphrodite plants—            Low. g. Proportion of female plants— High. h. Proportion of            male plants— Low. i. Photoperiodicity—            Photoperiod-sensitive. j. Plant Branching— Strong. k. Plant            Height (At Flowering)— Tall (200 cm). l. Time of Flowering—            120 days after seeding.-   Stem/central stalk:    -   -   General.—a. Thickness— Medium. b. Average length of            internode— Medium. c. Depth of grooves— Medium. d. Pith in            cross section— Thick. e. Main Stem Color— Dark green. f.            Plant Anthocyanin Coloration of Crown— Medium.-   Leaf:    -   -   General.—a. Leaf Intensity of Green Color— Medium. b. Number            of leaflets per leaf— Medium (Majority=7). c. Central            leaflet length— Medium (7.5 cm). d. Central leaflet width—            Broad (2.5 cm).-   Petiole:    -   -   General.—a. Length— Medium (5 cm). b. Anthocyanin color            intensity— Medium. c. Color— Medium.-   Seeds:    -   -   General.—Shape— Ovate/Oblong. Weight per 1000 seeds— 10.5            grams. Color of testa— Grey Brown (5YR 3/3; Munsell Soil            Color Code). Marbling— Medium.

Note

Applicant is prepared to submit a seed and/or tissue deposit of thevariety herein described, prior to issuance or publication, as requiredby the law of the relevant jurisdiction, as needed to support claimsreciting such a deposit.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seed from a Cannabis plant designated ‘VB252X’wherein a representative sample of seed of said plant has been depositedunder ______.
 2. A Cannabis plant, or plant part, tissue, or cellthereof produced by growing the seed of claim 1, or a descendantthereof.
 3. The Cannabis plant, or plant part, tissue, or cell thereofof claim 2 comprising a cannabinoid profile set forth in Table
 1. 4. Useof the plant of claim 2 in a breeding program to produce Cannabisprogeny comprising a cannabinoid profile set forth in Table 1 andgenetic capacity to produce the cannabinoid profile set forth in Table 1in progeny thereof.
 5. The Cannabis plant part of claim 2, wherein saidplant part is selected from the group consisting of: stems, trichomes,leaves, and flower buds.
 6. The Cannabis plant descended from the plant,or plant part, tissue, cell, or seed of claim 2, wherein the plant is aclonal descendent.